In recent days, it feels like my attention has been split into numerous directions, not unlike the horcruxes featured in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels. With the arrival of 2024, many of the same parts of everyday life continue, but with a renewed demand for order and (hopefully) simplicity.

When contemplating planning a mission, most of us think in the long-term and obtain great personal satisfaction when our goal is met. But how do you stay motivated and passionate about those things that occur on an everyday basis in life? Here are my thoughts on just that subject.

WORK

In my professional life, my workload ramps up exponentially during the final quarter of the year, with the first quarter of the new year spent analyzing how the work I just finished translates into success for my clients. Every day I’m met with new challenges that keep the job interesting.

What is my mission? My greatest satisfaction on a daily basis with work comes when I have the opportunity to problem solve, learn and make something better. For me, there is nothing more satisfying than working to figure out something I couldn’t the day before. Sometimes early in the morning a solution that you struggled with the previous day for what seemed like hours can be resolved within minutes.

HOME

Like Dorothy utters in the last moments of “The Wizard of Oz”, there truly is no place like home. Although I live in a house built in the mid-80’s without the amenities that are commonplace in new construction the last few years, I love my home. It’s a place of refuge, and the best place to simply be myself and relax.

What is my mission? First of all, making our home comfortable, inviting, and enjoying the time we spend there is an important part of living our best life. During summers, the backyard is more like a habitat for bees, butterflies, birds (blue birds nest every now and then) and oftentimes deer. Sitting on the deck with a cold drink in hand, I can feel the stress roll away from my mind. During winter, there’s nothing I enjoy more than creating what we call “Corgi Paths” for Scamp, complete with tunnels. Chasing him down the paths and creating a labyrinth of options in the yard provides much needed exercise for both of us in the midst of an Iowa winter.

MOTEVENTURE – THE BLOG

Writing my own blog is at times mundane, at times cathartic, at times enlightening, but always something I look forward to doing. It oftentimes forces me to stop and think about what’s happening in the world, in my city, my neighborhood and in my own life from day to day.

What is my mission? With Moteventure, I continue to experiment with the content, frequency and timing to increase awareness and engagement with my audience. In order to find out more about what works (or what doesn’t), I’m putting together an online survey that I hope you’ll take a few minutes to complete. Look for that soon!

MY THOUGHTS IN SUMMARY

When it comes to igniting passion and purpose in your life on a day-to-day basis, I think certain thoughts and perspectives should come into play in life everyday:

• Be Curious – Investigate things that you may not have imagined yourself doing, then do them!
• Find inspiration in the past – You’re never too old to try anything!
• Those activities that make you forget time…that is passion
• A body in motion tends to stay in motion…never stop pursuing your passions
• Ask yourself what matters to you deep down inside and then act upon your gut feelings
• For you, is it better to give than receive? If so, find an outlet for your generosity
• Emulate your perfect example. Does a family member, neighbor or friend seem to be everything you wish you were? Work daily to incorporate those characteristics into your own life.

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YOUR THOUGHTS?

What activities and/or goals do you have to be passionate in your world and continue to find purpose in your day-to-day life? Hint: This is what comments are for!